The stabilizer emitted a low, guttural hum, its glow intensifying as cracks spiderwebbed across its cylindrical surface. The fractures beneath the ground pulsed erratically, their chaotic energy resonating with the device's spiraling rhythm.
Rivan worked furiously, their fingers flying over the stabilizer's controls. "It's syncing with the fractures too quickly—I can't contain it!"
Ardyn crouched nearby, her blade ready. "Then we stop playing around. If this thing's going to blow, I'm taking it out right now."
"Wait!" Rivan snapped, their voice tight with urgency. "If we destroy it, the fractures could collapse completely. We need to stabilize it, or we'll trigger a chain reaction."
Ardyn's eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her blade. "And if you don't stabilize it?"
Rivan didn't answer.
The stabilizer flared suddenly, its light casting jagged shadows across the alcove walls. A surge of energy erupted outward, knocking both Rivan and Ardyn to the ground.
"We're out of time," Ardyn growled, pushing herself to her feet. "Make the call, or I will."
A Desperate Defense
In the ravine, the sound of Dominion engines grew louder, the faint hum of vehicles giving way to sharp, metallic clatters as soldiers disembarked. Elaine and Lira crouched behind a cluster of jagged rocks, their breaths shallow as they listened to the soldiers' movements.
"They've got us pinned," Lira whispered, her voice trembling.
Elaine gripped the shard in her hand, its light flaring as the fractures beneath the ravine pulsed in response. The whispers in her mind were louder now, forming fragmented words.
"Act, Custodian. Unity demands strength. Chaos demands sacrifice."
"We're not pinned," Elaine said quietly, her voice steady. "We're holding them here."
Before Lira could respond, the first Dominion soldier appeared at the edge of the rocks, their rifle raised. Elaine stepped forward, the shard's energy spiraling outward in a wave that sent the soldier sprawling.
More soldiers followed, their weapons glowing with Nexus energy. Elaine raised the shard again, its light flaring as the fractures' chaotic rhythm surged beneath her feet. The ground trembled violently, cracks spreading as the energy spilled outward.
"Elaine!" Lira shouted, fear etched into her voice. "You're going to bring the whole ravine down!"
Elaine's grip tightened on the shard, her gaze fixed on the advancing soldiers. "Then they'll go down with it."
The Stabilizer's Decision
The alcove shook violently as the stabilizer's energy spiraled out of control. The fractures beneath it glowed blindingly bright, their chaotic patterns shifting into jagged, unstable shapes.
Rivan struggled to stay upright, their hands trembling as they adjusted the stabilizer's settings. "Almost… got it…"
Another surge of energy erupted from the device, sending debris scattering through the air. Ardyn shielded her face, her voice sharp. "Rivan! Enough!"
Rivan's gaze hardened as they steadied the stabilizer, their voice resolute. "If I can just—"
The stabilizer emitted a deafening crack, its light flaring as the fractures beneath it pulsed violently. The device began to hum, its rhythm syncing with the fractures in a chaotic crescendo.
Ardyn stepped forward, raising her blade. "I'm not waiting for it to kill us."
Rivan hesitated, their chest tightening as the fractures' whispers filled their mind.
"Balance demands strength. Will you endure, or will you falter?"
"Do it," Rivan said finally, stepping back.
Ardyn didn't hesitate. With a single, powerful strike, her blade cleaved through the stabilizer, its glowing core shattering into fragments. The fractures beneath the alcove pulsed violently, then dimmed, their chaotic rhythm subsiding into a faint hum.
The alcove fell silent.
The Ravine Collapses
Back in the ravine, the fractures' energy surged, the ground beneath Elaine and Lira trembling as cracks widened into jagged fissures. Dominion soldiers scrambled to retreat, their weapons sparking as the fractures' chaotic rhythm disrupted their systems.
"Elaine!" Lira shouted, clutching the shards as the ground shifted beneath her. "We have to go!"
Elaine's grip on the shard tightened, its whispers filling her mind with a single, commanding voice.
"The fractures will not wait, Custodian. Act, or be consumed."
She closed her eyes, forcing the shard's energy to stabilize the fractures. The ground beneath her trembled violently, then stilled as the fractures' chaotic light dimmed.
Elaine opened her eyes, her breathing ragged. The Dominion soldiers were gone, retreating into the distance.
Lira rushed to her side, her face pale. "You… you did it. You stopped them."
Elaine nodded weakly, her voice barely audible. "For now."
The shard in her hand dimmed, its whispers fading to a faint hum. The fractures beneath the ravine pulsed faintly, their chaotic rhythm subdued.
"We need to keep moving," Elaine said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "The fractures are pulling us toward the Nexus. We can't stop now."
Lira hesitated, then nodded, clutching the shards tightly as they continued forward.